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17-year-old shot in Maplewood during drug deal

A 17-year-old boy was shot during a struggle with another person over a handgun during an alleged Aug. 26 drug deal in the 100 block of Mount Vernon Avenue E., according to police.

The boy’s injuries were not life-threatening and police believe he’s the one who brought the gun.

According to a release from the Maplewood Police Department, officers responded to the scene around 8:15 p.m. and, through their investigations, discovered that the 17-year-old from St. Paul and a 26-year-old man allegedly met to complete a drug deal involving marijuana.

Cmdr. Dave Kvam noted that at presstime, police were unable to reveal which person was selling or buying the marijuana due to the ongoing investigation.

Police said that during the interaction one of the people — likely the 17-year-old — took out a handgun and a struggle between the two ensued. During the fight, the 17-year-old was shot, and he fled the scene.

Police are still investigating where the boy got the gun, Kvam said.

According to police, officers later found the boy at Regions Hospital where he was treated for a the gunshot wound. Following his release from the hospital, he was arrested for aggravated robbery and second-degree assault and booked at the Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center.

The adult has not yet been identified or arrested, Kvam said.

Police ask anyone with information about the shooting to contact police during business hours at 651-249-2600, or through the Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center at 651-767-0640.